This study will investigate the safety and effectiveness of using adefovir dipivoxil (ADV), pegylated interferon (PEG-INF), and ribavirin (RBV) in patients triple-infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV. Patients in this study must be taking lamivudine (3TC).

Further study details as provided by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID):

Enrollment:

0

Detailed Description:

The emergence of liver disease in HIV infected patients with coinfections of HBV and/or HCV has become increasingly important in disease progression in the post-HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) era. The overall rate of HBV and HCV infection in HIV infected persons is 5% to 10%. There is convincing evidence that HIV infection exacerbates the severity of viral hepatitis and the progression of liver disease. Hepatitis treatment studies have generally excluded HIV patients with both HBV and HCV. As such, the influence of HBV on HCV treatment in HIV infected patients is unknown. This study will investigate the safety and anti-HBV efficacy of ADV + PEG-INF + RBV triple therapy in patients with HCV, HIV, and 3TC-resistant HBV. The study will also evaluate the effect of HBV and HBV therapy on HCV and HIV disease progression.

Patients with documented HIV, 3TC-resistant HBV, and HCV will be randomized to one of two treatment regimens for 48 weeks. Patients in both groups will receive daily oral RBV and weekly subcutaneous injections of PEG-INF. Patients in Group A will receive daily ADV; patients in Group B will receive placebo. After 48 weeks of study treatment, all study medications will be discontinued and patients will undergo liver biopsy. Patients will then be followed for an additional 24 weeks. Throughout the study, investigators will monitor numerous lab values and patients will be asked to complete multiple adherence questionnaires. Subjects who have a confirmed 2 point increase in Child-Pugh-Turcotte liver disease prognosis score at any time during the study will permanently discontinue PEG-INF and RBV and register to Step 2 to receive open label ADV.

Either have been on stable antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 weeks prior to study entry and plan to remain on same antiretroviral therapy OR have not received any antiretroviral therapy in the 12 weeks prior to the study and do not plan to begin antiretroviral therapy during the first 12 weeks of the study

Acceptable methods of contraception

Exclusion Criteria

History of any medical condition associated with chronic liver disease other than viral hepatitis

History of ALT elevations over 3 X baseline level

Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CPT) score > 5

Previous suicide attempt or hospitalization for psychiatric illness within 2 years prior to study entry

History of hypersensitivity to RBV, interferon, or other components of study medications

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00051077